News11 February 2026
The Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL) is an open-access database designed to help reduce research silos, share evaluation learning, and accelerate the sector’s progress in reducing inequalities.
Set to launch in summer 2026, the HEEL will serve as a central, searchable repository for evaluations of interventions across the student lifecycle, from initial university and college access through to student success and career progression.
Submitting evaluations: form and guidance
Higher education providers and others can submit their evaluations through the submission portal, hosted by HEAT, the Higher Education Access Tracker. The evaluations will be published on the TASO website in 2026, once there is a sufficient number of evaluations to publish. Further details are on the HEEL project page.
TASO has published guidance for the sector on how to prepare and submit evaluations, with step-by-step instructions for completing the form.
Universities and colleges across the UK conduct extensive research into what works for disadvantaged students, but these findings are often buried in internal reports or disparate websites.
There is also a form for users to feedback and ask questions.
Central publishing to reduce silos and share learning
Funded by the Office for Students (OfS), the HEEL aims to collect and centrally publish this evidence, providing a platform for practitioners to share both their successes and – crucially – their null results. Knowing what doesn’t work is as important as knowing what does work.
Dr Omar Khan, CEO of TASO said:
Good evaluation shouldn’t live in silos. By pooling our collective knowledge, we can save time, avoid duplication, and enable providers to learn from each other’s evaluation processes and outcomes. When planning evaluations, providers will be able to search the library for similar interventions, and learn about the successes and challenges, to help inform their own projects.
Key features of the HEEL include:
- Open access: The database will be freely searchable by anyone, with no login required for browsing.
- Inclusive criteria: Unlike traditional academic journals, the HEEL will accept a wide range of methodologies, including pilot evaluations, theory-based studies, and qualitative perception reports.
- ‘Null is not dull’: The project encourages the submission of interventions that did not achieve their intended outcomes, viewing these as vital lessons for the sector to avoid repeating ineffective strategies.
- Submission portal: A dedicated portal hosted by HEAT is already being rolled out (launched December 2025). It currently allows HEAT members to prepare their evaluations for the 2026 launch. Access will also be opened to non-HEAT members later in 2026.